Kitui County is confronting a looming food insecurity crisis following a poorly performing rainy season between March and May, which left crops failing to sprout across much of the region. According to the 2024 Long Rains Food and Nutrition Security Assessment Report, around 61,500 residents from 11,182 households skipped meals due to limited access to food, highlighting the county’s stressed food security situation. Overall, 246,000 people were classified in Integrated Food Security Phase 2, while 984,000 residents were in Phase 1, reflecting widespread vulnerability across Kitui’s households.
The report attributes the low crop yields to erratic rainfall patterns, with showers concentrated in April lasting just 30 to 40 days, compared to the usual 60 or more. Poor temporal and spatial distribution of rain, combined with crop pests such as caterpillars and beetles, devastated maize and cowpea production in the marginal mixed farming livelihood zones. The assessment also noted that late-planted maize suffered total crop failure due to moisture stress during the vegetative and tasseling stages, leaving households with limited food reserves. As a result, the county’s mean household food consumption score dropped from 51 percent in May to 49 percent in June.
The findings underscore urgent needs for intervention to prevent further hardship, especially as household food stocks are expected to deplete rapidly. Experts warn that without timely support, vulnerable families will face increased risk of malnutrition and food insecurity. County authorities are expected to consider emergency measures, including targeted food aid and support to farmers, while long-term strategies will need to focus on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable water management to mitigate future shocks in this semi-arid region.